Anchor bolt holder

ABSTRACT

A reusable anchor bolt holder includes an anchor bolt engagement section that defines a bore configured to receive an anchor bolt, such as those used in typical commercial or residential construction practices. The anchor bolt holder also includes an attachment section connected with the anchor bolt engagement section. The attachment section includes a first attachment section and a second attachment section, both of which are hingedly connected with the anchor bolt engagement section. Additionally, the anchor bolt holder includes a lock configured to releaseably couple the first attachment section with the second attachment section. Still further, the first attachment section and the second attachment section include at least one fastener bore that is configured to allow for standard mechanical fastening, such as screws for nails, of the anchor bolt holder a supporting structure.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to construction materials and, more specifically to structures designed to maintain the alignment of anchor bolts within a foundation during the pouring and curing of concrete.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A common problem faced in both residential and commercial construction is maintaining proper alignment or position of anchor bolts during the pouring and curing of concrete foundation. Maintaining proper alignment or position of anchor bolts relative to a concrete foundation is important for a variety of reasons. Anchor bolts that inadvertently move may end up too close to the concrete foundation's outer wall and thus be prone to “breaking out” of the concrete foundation at a later time, thereby weakening the entire structure. Further, misaligned or improperly positioned anchor bolts create costly construction delays as the wall structures, such as shear panels or prefabricated wall framing, must be reconfigured or modified to accept the misaligned or improperly positioned anchor bolts. As such, there is a need to provide a low cost method of maintaining the proper position of an anchor bolt within a concrete from during the pouring and curing of concrete structures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a reusable anchor bolt holder that is cost efficient and overcomes the problems of anchor bolts shifting during the pouring and curing of concrete.

The reusable anchor bolt holder of the present invention includes an anchor bolt engagement section that defines a bore configured to receive an anchor bolt, such as those used in typical commercial or residential construction practices to transmit roof and wall loading into the foundation. The anchor bolt holder also includes an attachment section connected with the anchor bolt engagement section. The attachment section includes a first attachment section and a second attachment section, both of which are hingedly connected with the anchor bolt engagement section. Additionally, the anchor bolt holder includes a lock configured to releaseably couple the first attachment section with the second attachment section. Still further, the first attachment section and the second attachment section include at least one fastener bore that is configured to allow for standard mechanical fastening, such as screws for nails, of the anchor bolt holder to a supporting structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aspect of an anchor bolt holder according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of an aspect of an anchor bolt holder according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of an aspect of an anchor bolt holder according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of another aspect of the present invention; and,

FIG. 6, is a perspective view of another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 7, is yet another perspective view of another aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 8, is a perspective sectional view of the invention depicted in FIG. 7, and,

FIG. 9, is another perspective sectional view of the invention depicted in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a system for maintaining the proper position of an anchor bolt within and relative to a concrete form during the pouring and curing of concrete. By way of overview and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 6, an aspect of the present invention includes a reusable anchor bolt holder 20 having an anchor bolt engagement section 22, an attachment section 30 having a first attachment section 24, a second attachment section 26 a lock 44. The anchor bolt engagement section 22 is generally configured to accept an anchor bolt 52, such as those typically used in either commercial or residential construction, through a defined anchor bolt bore 28. The first attachment section 24 and the second attachment section 26 are generally disposed on opposite ends of the anchor bolt holder 20 and are generally biased relative to one another. A lock 44 serves to hold the anchor bolt holder 20 in a closed position. Specific details of the anchor bolt holder 20 are described with more particularity below.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate the anchor bolt holder 20 is suitably constructed from any variety of materials. For example, a polymeric compound capable of being injection molded may be used. Suitable, non-limiting examples of such a material include high density polyethylene (HDPE), polycarbonate, and polystyrene. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that material choice will be dependent upon the material meeting certain mechanical and formability characteristics. For example, the material should be of medium to high strength and impact resistance. Additionally, the material should be relatively easy and inexpensive to form. Those skilled in the art may choose to use other materials meeting these general guidelines without exceeding the spirit and scope of this invention.

With regards to FIGS. 1-6, the anchor bolt engagement section 22 is generally considered the part of the anchor bolt holder 20 that engages the anchor bolt 52 and also functions as or includes a basic hinge between the first attachment section 24 and the second attachment section 26. The anchor bolt engagement section 22 includes an anchor bolt bore 28 extending therethrough. The anchor bolt bore 28 is typically configured to partially or fully encircle a portion of the anchor bolt 52 extending above the concrete (concrete not shown for simplicity reason only).

Lands 40 may be disposed on an inner surface of the anchor bolt bore 28 to assist the anchor bolt engagement section 22 with engagement of the anchor bolt 52. The lands 40 may be may be vertically or horizontally arranged relative to and within the anchor bolt bore 28. Additionally, the lands 40 may be arranged in a spiral fashion within the anchor bolt bore 28, similar to threads within a pipe. Additionally, the anchor bolt bore 28 may be entirely or partially free of lands 40.

A hinge region 32 a of the anchor bolt engagement section 22 may be achieved in any variety of manners known in the art. For example, an aspect of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, where it will be appreciated that the desired hinge region 32 a is achieved generally through material choice and bore wall thickness within the hinge region 32 a. Additionally, FIGS. 3 and 4 depict an additional arrangement for the hinge region 32 b. In this arrangement, it will be appreciated that the hinge region 32 b includes a hinge structure, in this case a bellows type arrangement. Any type of hinge is considered within the scope of this invention, such as, without limitation, a piano hinge (not shown) or other such hinge structure or configuration.

With specific reference to FIGS. 1-8, the anchor bolt holder 20 includes an attachment section 30 that includes a first engagement section 24 and a second engagement section 26. For the purposes of this invention, the attachment section 30 is generally that part of the anchor bolt holder 20 configured to attach the anchor bolt holder 20 to a separate support structure 54, such as a concrete form or other structural support. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the overall geometry of the attachment section 30 may vary, and thus, is not considered to be a limitation to the scope of this invention. In general, the first engagement section 24 and a second engagement section 26 are substantially similar hinged elements configured to work together to both lock the anchor bolt holder 20 around an anchor bolt 52, and also provide the structure to attach the anchor bolt holder 20 to the separate support structure 54.

The first engagement section 24 and the second engagement section 26 also include a buttress section 48. The buttress section 48 is generally that section of the first engagement section 24 and the second engagement section 26 that overlap one another. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the buttress section 48 is configured to provide stability between the first engagement section 24 and a second engagement section 26 when the anchor bolt holder 20 is in a closed position. As depicted in the FIGURES, the buttress section 48 may be either coplanar elements such as in FIG. 1, or it may include a different geometry such as shown in FIG. 3.

Disposed around a periphery of the first engagement section 24 and a second engagement section 26 are a plurality of fastener bores 36. The fastener bores 36 are configured to receive mechanical fasteners such as, nails, screws or staples. Additionally, the fastener bores 36 are also included in the buttress section 48. The fastener bore 36 in the buttress section 48 of the first engagement section 24 is arranged to align with fastener bore 36 in the buttress section 48 of the second engagement section 24 when the anchor bolt holder 20 is in a closed position such that a single fastener (not shown) may pass through both elements of the buttress section 48.

The first engagement section 24 and a second engagement section 26 also include a lock 44. The lock 44 functions to releasably hold the first engagement section 24 to the second engagement section 26. With regards to structure, any known lock 44 is considered within the scope of this invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 depict one possible lock 44 design. Specifically, the lock 44 is on an outer periphery of the first engagement section 24 and the second engagement section 26, and includes a hook 46 and tab 42 arrangement. FIGS. 3 and 4 depict another lock 44 design that is within the scope of this invention. In this arrangement the buttress section 48 functions as the lock 44. Specifically, a mating faces of the buttress section 48 are inclined and the related mating faces include a hook 46 and tab 42 arrangement. Still further, FIGS. 7 and 8 depict yet another lock 44 design. The mating faces of the buttress section 48 are inclined. However, in this arrangement, the lock 44 includes a hook 46 and tab 42 arrangement disposed on an outer periphery of the attachment section 30.

The overall geometry of the anchor bolt holder 20 is variable, and largely dependent upon the overall dimensions of the application. Those skilled in the art will appreciated that the height “H” of the anchor bolt engagement section 22 is variable and largely dependent upon application. However, the height “H” should be at least great enough to create enough surface area contact between the anchor bolt bore 28 and the anchor bolt 52 such that any torsional moment between the two elements is adequately absorbed by the anchor bolt holder 20. Further, the overall length “L” of the anchor bolt holder 20 will also be selected to allow for proper positioning of the anchor bolt 52 relative to the concrete form wall (not shown). Still further, the overall width “W” of the attachment section 30 will be selected to provide the anchor bolt holder 20 with a sufficient base to resist any unwanted motion. Thus, the overall geometry of the anchor bolt holder 20 is not intended to be a limitation of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, in operation, prior to pouring concrete, a user places the anchor bolt holder 20 over an anchor bolt 52 such that the anchor bolt 52 is substantially encircled within the anchor bolt bore 28. The first engagement section 24 and a second engagement section 26 are then brought together and locked such that the anchor bolt holder 20 is relatively securely attached to the anchor bolt 28. The user then positions the anchor bolt 28 in its desired spatial location within the concrete form and subsequently attaches the locked first engagement section 24 and a second engagement section 26 to some supporting structure such as a concrete form or other framework to secure the anchor bolt 28. Concrete may then be poured and allowed to cure before the anchor bolt holder 20 is removed to be used again on anther project.

It will be appreciated that anchor bolt holder 20 may be positioned on the anchor bolt 52 such that anchor bolt holder 20 is positioned well above the concrete fill level. Thus, a user may finish the concrete around the anchor bolt holder 20 without having any structural impediments to work around. Conversely, the user may position the anchor bolt holder 20 such that anchor bolt holder 20 is positioned just above the concrete fill level, or anywhere in-between depending upon user preference.

The anchor bolt holder 20 may be used singly, or in combination with an anchor bolt spacer (not shown). A suitable anchor bolt spacer is described in a co-filed patent application entitled “ANCHOR BOLT SPACER” with attorney docket number 25601, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

While an embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the discussed embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow. 

1. An anchor bolt holder, comprising: an anchor bolt engagement section, said anchor bolt engagement section defining a bore; an attachment section hingedly connected with the anchor bolt engagement section, said attachment section including: a first attachment section; and a second attachment section; and, a lock configured to releaseably couple the first attachment section with the second attachment section.
 2. The anchor bolt holder of claim 1, further comprising a fastener bore disposed on a periphery of the attachment section.
 3. The anchor bolt holder of claim 1, further comprising lands within at least a portion of the bore.
 4. The anchor bolt holder of claim 1, wherein the anchor bolt holder is constructed from an injection molded polymeric material.
 5. An anchor bolt holder comprising: a single piece of injection moldable polymeric material shaped to form an anchor bolt engagement section, said anchor bolt engagement section defining a bore; a first attachment section hingedly attached to the anchor bolt engagement section; a second attachment section hingedly attached to the anchor bolt engagement section, opposite the first engagement section; and, a lock configured to releaseably couple the first attachment section with the second attachment section. 